This guide will show you how to recover a forgotten root password. A several methods are available that can help you accomplish this.

This guide will show you how to recover a forgotten root password. A several methods are available that can help you accomplish this.

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{{i18n_entry|English|Password Recovery}}

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{{i18n_entry|Italiano|Password recovery (Italiano)}}

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== Using a LiveCD ==

== Using a LiveCD ==

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With a LiveCD a couple methods are available: change root and use the {{Codeline|passwd}} command, or erase the password field entry. Any Linux capable LiveCD can be used, albeit to change root it much match your installed architecture type.

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With a LiveCD a couple methods are available: change root and use the {{Ic|passwd}} command, or erase the password field entry. Any Linux capable LiveCD can be used, albeit to change root it must match your installed architecture type.

=== Change Root ===

=== Change Root ===

# Boot the LiveCD, and [[Change Root|change root]].

# Boot the LiveCD, and [[Change Root|change root]].

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# Use the {{Codeline|passwd}} command to reset your root password.

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# Use the {{Ic|passwd}} command to reset your root password.

# Exit [[Change Root|change root]].

# Exit [[Change Root|change root]].

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# Reboot and don't lose your password again!

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# Reboot, and remember your password.

=== Password Erase ===

=== Password Erase ===

Line 44:

Line 44:

2. Select the kernel line and press '''e''' again to edit it.

2. Select the kernel line and press '''e''' again to edit it.

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3. Append <tt>init=/bin/bash</tt> at the end of line.

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3. Append {{Ic|1=init=/bin/bash}} at the end of line.

4. Press '''b''' to boot (this change is only temporary and will not be saved to your menu.lst). After booting you will be at the bash prompt.

4. Press '''b''' to boot (this change is only temporary and will not be saved to your menu.lst). After booting you will be at the bash prompt.

Line 52:

Line 52:

# mount -n -o remount,rw /

# mount -n -o remount,rw /

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6. Use the {{Codeline|passwd}} command to create a new root password.

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6. Use the {{Ic|passwd}} command to create a new root password.

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7. Reboot and don't lose your password again!

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7. Reboot and do not lose your password again!

{{Note|Some keyboards may not be loaded properly by the init system with this method and you will not be able to type anything at the bash prompt. If this is the case, you will have to use another method.}}

{{Note|Some keyboards may not be loaded properly by the init system with this method and you will not be able to type anything at the bash prompt. If this is the case, you will have to use another method.}}

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== Countermeasures==

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An attacker could use the methods mentioned above to break into your system. No matter how secure the operating system is or how good passwords are, having physical access amounts to loading an alternate OS and exposing your data, unless you use full [[Disk encryption|disk encryption]].

== Resources ==

== Resources ==

* [http://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-reset-a-forgotten-root-password-with-knoppix-p2 this guide] for an example.

* [http://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-reset-a-forgotten-root-password-with-knoppix-p2 this guide] for an example.

Revision as of 19:59, 8 June 2013

zh-cn:Password Recovery
This guide will show you how to recover a forgotten root password. A several methods are available that can help you accomplish this.

Contents

Using a LiveCD

With a LiveCD a couple methods are available: change root and use the passwd command, or erase the password field entry. Any Linux capable LiveCD can be used, albeit to change root it must match your installed architecture type.

Password Erase

3. Delete the second field on the root line (in vim this can be done by going to the first letter/symbol in the field and typing d/:/ then Enter):

root:$1$9gDquXRP$gbOHLXuqslL.rw81q4pHc1:14589::::::

4. Save the file (:x in vim).

5. Reboot and root login will not require a password.

Using GRUB to Invoke Bash

1. Select the appropriate boot entry in the GRUB menu and press e to edit the line.

2. Select the kernel line and press e again to edit it.

3. Append init=/bin/bash at the end of line.

4. Press b to boot (this change is only temporary and will not be saved to your menu.lst). After booting you will be at the bash prompt.

5. Your root file system should be mounted as readonly so remount it as read/write:

# mount -n -o remount,rw /

6. Use the passwd command to create a new root password.

7. Reboot and do not lose your password again!

Note: Some keyboards may not be loaded properly by the init system with this method and you will not be able to type anything at the bash prompt. If this is the case, you will have to use another method.

Countermeasures

An attacker could use the methods mentioned above to break into your system. No matter how secure the operating system is or how good passwords are, having physical access amounts to loading an alternate OS and exposing your data, unless you use full disk encryption.